Decorative sink strainer

ABSTRACT

A strainer is adapted for use with a kitchen sink. The strainer basket is provided with a gripping post which is designed as a replica of an object suitable to add an aesthetic touch to the sink and kitchen. The decorative gripping post may take the form of a bunch of grapes, a refrigerator, a baseball or any of a myriad of decorative items. The decorative gripping post may be removably attached to the basket.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/301,457, filed Jun. 29, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention generally relates to plumbing fixtures. More specifically, the instant invention is drawn to a decorative basket strainer for use with a kitchen sink.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] Society has become very sensitive to the comforts of home and the effect of its presentation to the homeowner and guests. The media has focused attention on charm and personal styling which defines the “feng shui” of a particular room or space. It is only natural that this decorative attention should be extended to the drain area of the kitchen sink.

[0006] The prior art abounds with devices designed to heighten the aesthetic pleasures of the common kitchen sink. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. Des. 255,706 (Adam) and Des. 278,459 (Cook) disclose ornamental designs for sink strainers. The former patentee merely provides a decorative cover for the strainer. The latter named patentee incorporates a strainer flange having a decorative geometric design.

[0007] U.S. Pat. Nos. Des. 195,162 (Kraines) and Des. 392,371 (Holcombe) show ornamental designs for drain stoppers. The instant patents are not concerned with providing a straining function.

[0008] An ornamental design for a perforated drain cover is disclose in U.S. Pat. No. Des. 263,776 (Ashley).

[0009] U.S. Pat. Nos. Des. 413,656 (Mauk), Des. 418,209 (Mauk) and U.S. D439,957 S (Barnett et al.) disclose ornamental designs for grate structures.

[0010] U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,586,203 (Westgerdes) and 4,706,306 (Smith) show strainer structure. The patentees are not concerned with aesthetics.

[0011] U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,265,281 (McAlpine) and 5,535,455 (Liu) disclose stoppers for garbage disposal inlets. As in the patents cited immediately above, the instant patents are not concerned with aesthetic values.

[0012] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to disclose a decorative strainer as will be subsequently described and claimed in the instant invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The decorative strainer of the instant invention is adapted for use with a kitchen sink. As contemplated, the strainer basket will be fabricated from stainless steel, however, plastic or other suitable materials may be employed. The strainer basket is of a semi-hemispheric configuration having a continuous, apertured wall. The diameter of the wall is such that the strainer basket will fit a standard sink drain opening as is common in the art.

[0014] Instead of the utilitarian-only gripping post of prior art strainers, the instant invention is provided with a gripping post which is designed as a replica of an object suitable to add an aesthetic touch to the sink and kitchen. For example, the decorative gripping post may take the form of a bunch of grapes, a refrigerator, a baseball or any of a myriad of decorative items. The decorative gripping post may be removably secured to the basket so that a user may readily change the decorative look. The decorative post may be fabricated from any suitable, durable material (ceramic, resin, plastic, etc.).

[0015] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a durable strainer for a kitchen sink.

[0016] It is another object of the invention to provide a strainer for a kitchen sink, which strainer includes a decorative gripping post.

[0017] It is a further object of the invention to provide a strainer for a kitchen sink which includes a removable decorative gripping post.

[0018] It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.

[0019] These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a decorative sink strainer which shows a replica of a first fruit utilized as a gripping post according to the present invention.

[0021]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of showing a replica of a second fruit utilized as a gripping post according to the present invention.

[0022]FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a replica of a golf ball utilized as a gripping post according to the present invention.

[0023] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0024] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention comprises a strainer basket 10 having apertured walls. The apertures are of a size (common in the art) to retain solid matter while allowing liquids to pass therethrough. As noted above, basket 10 is fabricated from stainless steel or other durable and suitable materials. Basket 10 is dimensioned to fit a standard sink drain opening.

[0025] Each strainer basket 10 is provided with a gripping post for inserting and removing the basket from the drain opening. As contemplated, the gripping post will assume a form which replicates an object that would lend a decorative theme to the sink and kitchen. In FIG. 1 the gripping post replicates a watermelon slice 12, while in FIG. 2 the gripping post replicates an apple 14. Each decorative gripping post will assume the color of the represented object so as to be as authentic-looking as possible. As contemplated, the post is removably attached to the basket so that other decorative posts may be used.

[0026] In FIG. 3 the gripping post assumes the form of a golf ball 16 and includes structure 18 for plugging the drain, if desired. The drain plugging structure is not part of the inventive concept, per se, and incorporates structure well known in the art. The invention may employ any suitable and conventional means (screw threads, adhesive, etc.) to accomplish removal and attachment.

[0027] Although described in conjunction with a kitchen sink, it is obvious that the invention may be applied to the bathroom, laundry or any area that includes a sink.

[0028] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

I claim:
 1. A sink strainer assembly for use with the existing drain opening of a standard sink, said strainer assembly including: a strainer basket, said basket having walls configured as a semi-hemispherical shell, said shell having an inner central area; a decorative gripping post for inserting and removing said strainer basket into and from the drain opening, said gripping post disposed in said strainer basket and removably attached thereto at said central area.
 2. A sink strainer assembly according to claim 1, wherein said gripping post extends upwardly from said central area.
 3. A sink strainer assembly according to claim 2, wherein said gripping post is formed to replicate a decorative item.
 4. A sink strainer assembly according to claim 3, including a drain plug attached to an undersurface of said strainer.
 5. A sink strainer assembly according to claim 4, wherein said decorative item is an apple.
 6. A sink strainer assembly according to claim 4, wherein said decorative item is a watermelon slice.
 7. A sink strainer assembly according to claim 4, wherein said decorative item is a golf ball.
 8. A sink strainer assembly for use with the existing drain opening of a standard sink, said strainer assembly comprising: a strainer basket, said basket having walls configured as a semi-hemispherical shell, said shell having an inner central area and an undersurface; a decorative gripping post for inserting and removing said strainer basket into and from the drain opening, said gripping post disposed in said strainer basket and removably attached thereto at said central area, said gripping post being formed to replicate a decorative item; and a drain plug attached to said undersurface.
 9. A sink strainer assembly according to claim 8, wherein said decorative item is an apple.
 10. A sink strainer assembly according to claim 8, wherein said decorative item is a watermelon slice.
 11. A sink strainer assembly according to claim 8, wherein said decorative item is a golf ball. 